by Karen Buckner

Created on: September 08, 2009

With 22 miles of white sand beaches and 111,669 acres of parks, Jacksonville Florida offers outdoor adventures for kids of all ages.

Florida's First Coast provides hours of free entertainment for toddler or teen. At many of Jacksonville's Beaches (Atlantic, Neptune & Jax Beach) kids can play in the sun, surf and collect sea shells almost all year long thanks to the beautiful Florida weather. Showers, bathrooms and parking are all within close proximity making a trip to the beach convenient and free.

While at Jacksonville Beach, venture to the Jacksonville Beach Fishing Pier where kids 6 and under fish for free or get a history lesson at the Beach Museum History Center where kids 5 and under get in free.

If being one with nature is up your alley visit on of Jacksonville's many parks and reserves. Tillie K. Fowler Regional Park on the Westside of town offers a nature center and free programs including Discovery Walks, Evening Programs, Envirocamp, Curious Naturalist and more. Timucuan Ecological and Historical Preserve and Fort Caroline National Memorial sites are free to the public and offer exploration and wildlife observation or perhaps you would rather enjoy a relaxing afternoon picnic overlooking the water at beautiful Metropolitan Park in the downtown area, this venue is also host to many free open air events throughout the year.

A fun way to learn fire safety and get your history lesson in is to stop by the Jacksonville Fire Museum. The museum is an actual fire house built in 1902 that displays a 1926 American LaFrance fire engine.

Take in the Arts at The Riverside Arts Market. Stroll among the artwork enjoying the aroma's of delicious foods and coffees. This weekly event offers live entertainment and kids activities. Located under the Fuller Warren Bridge in historic Riverside it's a family friendly must do!

All that adventure might work up an appetite! Many local restaurants have Kids Eat Free Offers with the purchase of an adult meal. Woody's Bar-BQ (12 and under), Applebee's (Tues. 12 and under), Mama Fu's Asian House (12 and under), Tropical Smoothie Cafe and O'Charley's are some of the popular offers in town but if you want a complete listing, check out www.jax4kids.com

With tons of free festivals, parades and other events throughout the year added into the mix, Jacksonville proves to be a fun place for the budget minded family or traveler. Unspoiled beaches, wetlands and plenty of indoor and outdoor adventures proves that there is so much family fun to be had without opening your wallet.

So enjoy Jacksonville, it's free!

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